Federal Aviation Administration December 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, the FAA is announcing the availability of the ROD for the Spaceport America Commercial Launch Site, Sierra County, New Mexico. The ROD provides the FAA's final environmental determination and approval to support the issuance of a Launch Site Operator License to the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) to operate Spaceport America, as proposed in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) published in November 2008. The ROD provides a description of the applicant's Proposed Action and reasonable alternatives, and identifies the FAA's preferred and the environmentally preferred alternative. It includes a discussion of environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Action in each resource area, as analyzed in the Final EIS. The ROD summarizes the mitigation and enforcement actions that would be made the subject of the terms and conditions of the Launch Site Operator License issued to NMSA, as well as other conservation and enhancement measures described in the Final EIS and presented for consideration. The Final EIS, prepared by the FAA for the Spaceport America Commercial Launch Site, serves as the primary reference and basis for preparation of the ROD. The Final EIS documents the analysis of environmental consequences associated with the construction and operation of Spaceport America and reasonable alternatives to the Proposed Action. The FAA is the lead Federal agency responsible for the preparation of the EIS and ROD for the proposed Spaceport America. Cooperating agencies include the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the U.S. Army's White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The EIS and ROD were prepared pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508), and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures. The FAA has posted the ROD on the FAA Web site at https:// ast.faa.gov. In addition, paper copies of the ROD will be sent out with the signed Programmatic Agreement to persons and agencies on the distribution list (found in Chapter 8 of the Final EIS). The Programmatic Agreement addresses significant impacts to Historical, Architectural, Archaeological, and Cultural Resources from the Proposed Action. Additional Information: Under the Proposed Action, and the alternative selected by the FAA for implementation, the FAA would issue a Launch Site Operator License to NMSA that would allow the State to operate the proposed Spaceport America Commercial Launch Site. The EIS analyzed launching both horizontal and vertical launch vehicle (LV) launches. Horizontal LVs would launch and land at the proposed Spaceport America airfield. Vertical LVs would launch from Spaceport America and either land at Spaceport America or at WSMR. Rocket-powered vertical landing vehicles would land on either the Spaceport America airfield or a vertical launch/landing pad. In addition, the Proposed Action includes construction of facilities needed to support the licensed launch activities at the proposed launch site. Development of Spaceport America infrastructure would occur in two phases. The total area of land disturbed by construction would be approximately 970 acres; the total area of the final facilities footprint would be approximately 145 acres. The proposed Spaceport America boundary would encompass approximately 26 square miles. This area currently contains both State and private land. Operational activities in support of the Proposed Action would begin as soon as the phased construction activities related to the Proposed Action were completed. The operational activities that may have environmental consequences and would support, either directly or indirectly, licensed launches include:

This action delays the effective date for the establishment of the low altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) T-route, designated T-254, in the vicinity of the Houston, TX, terminal area until March 12, 2009. The FAA is taking this action to allow additional time for processing and charting.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has tentatively determined that it is necessary to amend further its December 12, 2006 Order that temporarily caps scheduled operations at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LaGuardia), pending the implementation of a longer- term regulation to manage congestion at the airport. In particular, we now propose to accept from air carriers voluntary reductions in scheduled operations at the airport to a targeted average of 71 hourly scheduled operations for the duration of the Order. This proposed reduction in flight operations at LaGuardia would not affect the number of unscheduled operations at the airport. The FAA is separately extending the Order's expiration until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on October 24, 2009.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 216: Aeronautical Systems Security.

This action proposes to establish a low altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) route, designated T-265, in the Chicago/Rockford International Airport, IL, terminal area. T-routes are low altitude Air Traffic Service routes, based on RNAV, for use by aircraft that have instrument flight rules (IFR) approved Global Positioning System (GPS)/ Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment. This action would enhance safety and improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace in the Chicago/Rockford International Airport, IL, terminal area west of Chicago, IL.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-46-350P, PA-46R-350T, and PA-46- 500TP airplanes. This AD requires you to install a stall warning heat control modification kit. This AD results from ice forming on the stall vane heater during flights into icing conditions with the landing gear down. We are issuing this AD to prevent ice from forming on the stall vane, which may result in failure of the stall warning system. This failure could result in the pilot being unaware of an approaching stall situation.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all McDonnell Douglas airplanes identified above. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the lower skin and stringers at stations Xw=408 and Xw408, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from reports of cracks in the skins and stringers at the end fasteners common to the stringer end fittings at stations Xw= 408 and Xw408 wing splice joints. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the skins and stringers at the end fasteners common to the stringer end fittings at certain station and wing splice joints, which could result in wing structure that might not sustain limit load, and consequent loss of structural integrity of the wing.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

The FAA is superseding emergency airworthiness directive (AD) 2008-19-51 that we sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of RRC AE 3007A series turbofan engines. That AD requires performing initial and repetitive eddy current inspections (ECIs) on the high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 2 wheel for cracks. This AD continues to require those same inspections, but revises the compliance schedule for the initial inspection and specifies the affected HPT stage 2 wheels by part number (P/N). This AD results from reports of cracked HPT stage 2 wheels. We are issuing this AD to detect cracks in the HPT stage 2 wheel, which could result in a possible uncontained failure of the HPT stage 2 wheel and damage to the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8 airplanes. That AD currently requires, among other things, revision of an existing program of structural inspections. This new AD requires implementation of a revised program of structural inspections of baseline structure to detect and correct fatigue cracking in order to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes as they approach the manufacturer's original fatigue design life goal. This new AD also reduces the inspection threshold for certain principal structural elements. This AD results from a significant number of these airplanes approaching or exceeding the design service goal on which the initial type certification approval was predicated. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking that could compromise the structural integrity of these airplanes.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all McDonnell Douglas airplanes identified above. This proposed AD would require revising the airplane flight manual to provide the flightcrew with procedures to preclude dry running of the fuel pumps. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent pump inlet friction (i.e., overheating or sparking) when the fuel pumps are continually run as the center wing fuel tank becomes empty, and/or electrical arc burnthrough, which could result in a fuel tank fire or explosion.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: ``Transport Canada has received numerous service difficulty reports concerning Viking DHC-7 and Bombardier DHC-8 aircraft fluorescent lamp holder damage due to overheating. It has been determined that lamp holder overheating is a result of arcing between the fluorescent tube pins and the lamp holder contacts when the tube is not properly seated during installation. Overheating of lamp holders, if not corrected, could generate fumes and smoke.'' The unsafe condition could result in an in-flight fire. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. The collection of this information is necessary to ensure safety of flight by ensuring complete and adequate training, testing, checking, and experience is obtained and maintained by those who conduct flight simulation training.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. Certain organizations may apply to perform certification functions on behalf of the FAA. This information collection is required for compliance with the final rule that codifies special flight rules and airspace and flight restrictions for certain operations in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. The final rule published on December 16, 2008 (73 FR 76195). A notice for comments was published in error in advance of the publication of the final rule on December 3, 2008 (73 FR 73688), followed by a withdrawal of this notice published on December 8, 2008 (73 FR 74559). FAA will consider any comments received in response to the first notice.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the Town of Marana under the provisions of Title I of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, as amended, (Public Law 96-193) (hereinafter referred to as ``the Act) and 14 CFR Part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On December 7, 2007, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the Town of Marana under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements.

This action corrects an error in the airspace description contained in a Final Rule that was published in the Federal Register on Monday, November 10, 2008 (73 FR 66515). Airspace Docket No. 08-AAL-1.

This action revises Class E airspace at Toksook Bay, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). One SIAP is being amended for the Toksook Bay Airport. Additionally, one textual Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP) is being amended. This action revises existing Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at Toksook Bay Airport, Toksook Bay, AK.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 airplanes. The original NPRM would have required replacement of the wire harness of the auxiliary hydraulic pump with a new wire harness, and routing the new wire harness outside of the tire burst area. The original NPRM resulted from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer, as well as reports of shorted wires in the right wheel well and evidence of arcing on the power cables of the auxiliary hydraulic pump. This action revises the original NPRM by proposing to require modifying the auxiliary hydraulic power system (including doing all applicable related investigative and corrective actions). We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent shorted wires or electrical arcing at the auxiliary hydraulic pump, which could result in a fire in the wheel well. We are also proposing this supplemental NPRM to reduce the potential of an ignition source adjacent to the fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

This notice announces two fact-finding informal airspace meetings, in addition to three meetings held previously (73 FR 44311), to solicit information from airspace users and others concerning a proposal to revise the Class B airspace area at Chicago, IL. The purpose of these meetings is to ensure all interested parties were provided an opportunity to present views, recommendations, and comments on the proposal. All comments received during these meetings will be considered prior to any revision or issuance of a notice of proposed rulemaking. Times and Dates: The informal airspace meetings will be held on Monday, February 23, 2009, at 1 p.m., and Thursday, February 26, 2009, at 5 p.m. Comments must be received on or before March 30, 2009.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 208 and 208B airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to modify the aileron carry-through cable attachment to the aileron upper quadrant with parts of improved design. This proposed AD results from reports of a ``catch'' in the aileron control system when the control yoke is turned. We are proposing this AD to prevent the cable attach fitting on the aileron upper quadrant assembly from rotating and possibly contacting or interfering with the aileron lower quadrant assembly, which could result in limited roll control and reduced handling capabilties.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Columbus, OH. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Rickenbacker International Airport, Columbus, OH. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft operations at Rickenbacker International Airport.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 217 meeting: Airport Mapping Databases

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace for the Milwaukee, WI, area. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Waukesha County Airport, Waukesha, WI. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft operations at Waukesha County Airport. Also, a technical amendment is being made changing the name of John H. Batten Field to John H. Batten Airport.